Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations. Accommodations that may be available to students include, but are not limited to: extended time, alternative test formats (e.g., oral tests or essay instead of multiple choice), test settings with few distractions, readers, scribes, enlarged text, and access to word processing with spell check. Recommendations for testing accommodations are determined by the Accessibility Services Coordinator following review of the documentation of disability submitted by the student.

Evaluating student progress in an academic setting is an essential component of the educational process for all students. A modified test method is often a more accurate way to measure the ability or achievement of a student with a disability. Modifications are meant to neither heighten nor lessen the student’s chances for success or failure, but to equalize opportunities. The ADA provides for equality of opportunity, but does not guarantee equality of results.

Adams State University is required to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or pose an undue administrative or financial burden. Faculty judgment is important when determining whether a requested accommodation would fundamentally alter an essential element of a course or program. Students and faculty should discuss accommodations for each testing situation to determine whether recommended accommodations are reasonable and effective.

Testing accommodations may be provided by the faculty member, the academic department staff, the Grizzly Testing and Learning Center. It is the responsibility of the academic department to provide appropriate accommodations if the test is proctored by the faculty member or the academic department staff.

Taking a Test in the GTLC

  • The student must make testing arrangements with both the instructor and the Grizzly Testing & Learning Center.
  • The student should make arrangements as soon as possible but at least 1 hour in advance. If the student requires a reader/scribe the request should be submitted 48 hours prior to the test.
  • To schedule a test, the student must either call or stop by the Grizzly Testing & Learning Center. Tests can be proctored between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Requests for a reader, a scribe, the use of a computer with word processing, or other special accommodations must be indicated on the Testing Administration Form submitted by professors.
  • The student may request to schedule the test at a date and/or time that is different from the actual class date and time of the test if, because of a schedule conflict, taking it at the actual class time does not allow for the provision of appropriate accommodations. The instructor must approve the alternative date and/or time.
  • The student must arrive 10 – 15 minutes early for their exam appointment. Exams will not be administered if a student is late. In which case the student will need to contact the professor and request an extension or find an alternative testing option.
  • If the student is unable to take the test at the scheduled time due to illness or an emergency, the student should contact both the instructor and the Grizzly Testing & Learning Center office as soon as possible. If the instructor allows the student to take a make-up test, the instructor must approve the date and time for the test.
  • When testing in the Grizzly Testing & Learning Center office, the student may not leave the area for any reason, unless as specified by Accommodations or the professor.
  • All tests taken in the GTLC office are proctored, and the integrity of the testing situation is maintained at all times. Cheating will be reported to the instructor. The instructor determines the consequences for cheating.

Tests can be delivered to the GTLC one of two ways

  1. The instructor may drop a physical copy of the test to the GTLC office.
  2. Submit test online via online testing administration form.
  • Each test should be labeled with the student’s name as it appears on the professors roster. Preferred names can be indicated in the “additional comments” section.
  • Exams will not be accepted via email or when dropped off by an individual other than the professor. There are often unique instructions that others may not know of when delivering exams.
  • Letters of accommodation are confidential and information should not be shared openly with others.